Reflux and Throat Symptoms
Dysphagia
Related terms · Dysphagia · Difficulty swallowing · Feeling of food getting stuck
Difficulty swallowing is a symptom where it is hard to swallow food or water, or there is a feeling of it being stuck in the throat or chest. Unlike a simple foreign body sensation in the throat, the primary issue is the actual difficulty in the process of swallowing.
Overview
Dysphagia: Please check these three things first
- Unlike a foreign body sensation in the throat, dysphagia is a symptom where food or water actually does not go down well.
- The cause to be investigated differs depending on whether only solid foods are difficult to swallow or if water is also difficult.
- If symptoms worsen over time or are accompanied by weight loss or choking/aspiration, do not delay medical examination.
Definitions and Distinctions
What is dysphagia?
The areas to be examined differ depending on whether it is difficult to start swallowing from the mouth and throat, or if it feels stuck in the chest after swallowing. Dysphagia is a symptom where it is difficult to swallow food or water, or it feels stuck in the throat or chest. Unlike a simple foreign body sensation in the throat, the core issue is the actual difficulty in the process of swallowing.
- Easily Confused Terms
- A foreign body sensation in the throat may actually be felt less when swallowing saliva or food, but dysphagia involves repeated experiences where solid foods or water actually do not go down well.
- Why this is checked during the medical evaluation
- The necessary tests are determined based on whether the difficulty started with solid foods or included water, and whether there is choking, coughing, pain, or weight loss.
- Information to prepare
- Emergency evaluation is required if you suddenly cannot swallow saliva, have difficulty breathing, or feel that food is completely stuck. Even if symptoms worsen gradually, do not delay and seek medical evaluation.
More details
Connecting dysphagia to my symptoms
Distinguish between difficulty starting to swallow and getting stuck while going down
The areas to be examined differ between cases where choking and coughing occur when drinking water and starting to swallow is difficult, and cases where food feels stuck in the chest after swallowing. Please let us know if it was difficult starting with solid foods, if water is also difficult, and if there is pain or weight loss.
Inability to swallow saliva or the feeling of food being completely stuck is an emergency
If you suddenly experience drooling, difficulty breathing, or food not going down at all, seek emergency evaluation immediately. Do not dismiss gradually worsening dysphagia as mere reflux or a foreign body sensation in the throat; do not delay examination. After the necessary evaluation, we will treat any remaining digestive discomfort.
It is important whether solid foods or water were difficult first
Please note whether solid foods like rice or meat got stuck first, or if you experienced choking with water from the beginning, as well as the location where it feels stuck. Also, let us know if there is pain, coughing, a hoarse voice, weight loss, and the duration of these symptoms. If food is completely stuck, you cannot swallow saliva, or you have difficulty breathing, seek emergency evaluation immediately instead of waiting for an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions regarding dysphagia
How do I distinguish between a foreign body sensation in the throat and dysphagia?
Check whether swallowing actually stops or if coughing and choking occur when swallowing saliva or food. A foreign body sensation may actually be felt less during the act of swallowing, but if it is difficult to distinguish, please confirm through a medical evaluation.
What should I do if food still gets stuck even after receiving treatment for reflux?
Do not simply wait and attribute it to reflux. Endoscopy or other tests may be necessary to check for esophageal narrowing or motility issues. If food suddenly becomes completely stuck, seek emergency evaluation.
Gastrointestinal Glossary
Compare similar terms here
You can proceed to a detailed explanation after confirming the simple meaning.Read More
Check guides where this term is used
- Condition GuideReflux LaryngitisIn reflux laryngitis, also known as laryngopharyngeal reflux, symptoms such as hoarseness, voice changes, frequent throat clearing or coughing, globus (the feeling of a lump in the throat), the sensation of phlegm accumulating, or a sore throat may recur after meals or at night and in the morning. This can occur even without heartburn or acid reflux, but these symptoms alone cannot confirm reflux. Other laryngeal causes, such as colds, allergies, post-nasal drip, vocal overuse, vocal cord nodules, polyps, or paralysis, can produce similar symptoms. If you experience difficulty breathing, stridor (high-pitched wheezing), food or water getting stuck, blood-tinged secretions, a lump in the neck, or weight loss, do not wait for reflux to resolve and seek prompt medical evaluation.→
- Condition GuideReflux EsophagitisTypical symptoms of reflux esophagitis include a burning sensation rising from the center of the chest toward the throat, and the feeling of sour or bitter stomach contents rising into the throat or mouth. These symptoms often worsen after eating, when bending over, or after lying down, and some may wake up at night due to acid regurgitation or coughing. Chest pain, nausea, chronic cough, or hoarseness may appear without heartburn, but these symptoms overlap with heart, respiratory, or laryngeal diseases. New compressive chest pain, shortness of breath, and cold sweats require immediate emergency cardiac evaluation, while food getting stuck, painful swallowing, vomiting blood, black stools, persistent vomiting, or weight loss require prompt gastrointestinal evaluation.→
- Medical Evaluation GuideHow do reflux, gastritis, and functional dyspepsia differ?Heartburn and the feeling of acid rising into the throat are clues for reflux, and a diagnosis of gastritis is used if inflammation of the gastric mucosa is confirmed via endoscopy. Functional dyspepsia refers to cases where epigastric pain, postprandial fullness, or early satiety recur, but no structural disease is found to sufficiently explain them. Since symptoms can overlap, you should not attempt to distinguish between them based on a single phrase or one endoscopy result.→
- Digestive Health ColumnReflux esophagitis, non-erosive reflux, and reflux laryngitis: how are they distinguished?→
Evidence and Update Information
The definitions and safety standards in the materials below were referenced.
- NIDDK: Upper GI EndoscopyConfirmed the context for considering upper gastrointestinal examinations for dysphagia.
- NIDCD: DysphagiaThis was referenced to distinguish between difficulty when starting to swallow and difficulty while the food or liquid is descending.